Rafael / The “Gypsy” Character Analysis in For Whom the Bell Tolls

Rafael is a Roma man (described as a “gypsy” throughout) and a member of Pablo and Pilar’s guerilla group. Frequently drunk and often criticized for his slipshod behavior as a fighter, Rafael nonetheless possesses a violent streak. He asks Robert Jordan to kill Pablo, demonstrating the extent to which brutality is pervasive among the Republicans: even those without the skills to commit brutal acts are drawn to violence.

Rafael / The “Gypsy” Character Timeline in For Whom the Bell Tolls

The timeline below shows where the character Rafael / The “Gypsy” appears in For Whom the Bell Tolls. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...and see the camp in front of a large cave. A Roma man (described as a “gypsy ” throughout) is sitting in front of the camp, cutting a stick with a knife,... (full context)

Violence, Cowardice, and Death Theme Icon

...the “gypsy” make a trap to catch a tank, and the man introduces himself as Rafael. Jordan opens one of the packs and gives Pablo some cigarettes. Pablo says that “the... (full context)

...and though many prisoners were caught when the train was blown up, she was not. Rafael says that he found her after the explosion. Maria asks Jordan about the other foreigner... (full context)

...that it will grow out in six months. Jordan asks if she is Pablo or Rafael’s woman, but she is neither; Rafael calls her a “very strange woman.” (full context)

...seven members, with two women; the other woman, “Pablo’s mujer” (woman), is in the cave. Rafael says that she is ugly and barbarous but brave. Anselmo replies that Pablo used to... (full context)

The Eternality of the Present Theme Icon

...two on guard with a gun. Jordan asks what kind of gun it is, but Rafael doesn’t know; he says it has “an infinity” of rounds, and Jordan tries to figure... (full context)

Rafael recounts their rescue of Maria, telling Jordan that she refused to speak when they first... (full context)

...skirt, and her brown face looks “like a model for a granite monument.” She tells Rafael to send her Andrés and greets Robert Jordan kindly. Jordan tells her that he is... (full context)

Pablo’s wife says that they have five “good” men, since Rafael is worthless and she does not trust Pablo, and El Sordo, another leader of a... (full context)

...mind and carries them into the cave, where Pablo, three men he does not know, Rafael, Anselmo, and the two women are gathered. Pablo asks if it would be better to... (full context)

Rafael asks to taste the drink, which Jordan describes as a “medicine” that “cures everything.” He... (full context)

Rafael asks Robert Jordan if he saw the bridge, and Jordan shows him his sketches. Pablo... (full context)

...the meal, the wine they have drunk, and horse sweat and man sweat. He hears Rafael starting to sing a song, and a voice orders him to change to Catalan; he... (full context)

Rafael asks Robert Jordan why he didn’t kill Pablo and tells him that he must kill... (full context)

...no difficulties and that he is welcome, and he strides off to find his horses. Rafael says that he will follow him to prevent him from leaving the camp: Agustin is... (full context)

...would be no organization or discipline in the group. It would be ideal if she, Rafael, or Agustin would kill Pablo. Anselmo would kill him if Jordan asked, but he is... (full context)

Jordan tells Pilar what Rafael has said about Pablo, and Pilar says that it is not necessary to kill Pablo,... (full context)

...and he looks up to see three fascist patrol planes in the sky. Pablo and Rafael are watching them from the mouth of the cave. Robert Jordan realizes that if they... (full context)

Jordan asks for Rafael and sends him with Anselmo to go observe the road and note how many soldiers... (full context)

...Pablo predicts that they will have “much snow,” and he tells Robert Jordan that neither Rafael nor Anselmo have come back to the camp yet. Pablo says that Jordan won’t want... (full context)

...Finito and lying next to him at night: “he was often frightened in his sleep.” Rafael enters the cave to report back about the fascist command at the bridge. He says... (full context)

...if they could hold him as a prisoner instead and sell him to the fascists. Rafael suggests that they turn him over to El Sordo, who will sell him to the... (full context)

Rafael returns with two rabbits he has caught, and Jordan curses at him for not returning... (full context)

...tells Jordan that Primitivo, Pilar, Anselmo, Andrés, Eladio, and Fernando are dependable, though Pablo and Rafael are not. Jordan hears automatic rifle fire in the distance and surmises that El Sordo... (full context)

Pilar’s band emerges: Primitivo and Rafael are supporting Fernando, who seems to have been shot through the groin. Jordan tells Anselmo... (full context)

...to “accept it and let the hate go out.” He apologizes to Pilar and tells Rafael to shoot at the truck coming toward them, then to try and hit the driver.... (full context)